Former NBA cager Nick Fazekas clash with the returning Chris Alexander when the Boosters and the Kings meet in the second game at 6:30 p.m.

In the 4 p.m. opener, Rain or Shine starts its campaign after a stellar semifinal campaign in the Philippine Cup when it meets opening day loser Alaska.

The 6-foot-11 Fazekas, who once played for the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Clippers, will get his first real action.

Petron coach Ato Agustin and observers have been impressed with his play during tune-up matches leading up to this conference.

On the other hand, Alexander gets reacquainted with the team he led to its last PBA title that came during the 2008 Fiesta Conference. The 7-footer was a menacing force in the paint as the Kings went on to beat Air21 (now-Barako Bull) in the finals.

Both San Miguel Corporation-owned squads are aiming to improve on their disappointing performance in the All-Filipino tourney.

Petron was on the verge of making the finals but blew a 3-1 lead to suffer a stunning seven-game series loss to Talk N' Text in the semis while Ginebra was blown away in the best-of-three quarters by Rain or Shine.

Meanwhile, Rain or Shine parades Duke Crews as its reinforcement. The 6-foot-8 Crews is a 24-year old former US NCAA cager for Tennessee and Bowie State.

The Aces are out to redeem themselves from a 98-78 defeat at the expense of Barako Bull on Friday.

Adam Parada had 16 points but Alaska succumbed to a Barako fury in the third quarter for the loss. —Jonas Terrado